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[OVERVIEW]
Arceus-Ghost's great offensive typing and strong Ghost-type STAB move in Shadow Force allow it to deal massive neutral damage to the majority of the tier. Like any Arceus forme, Arceus-Ghost has excellent natural bulk, and it also has a decent defensive typing that allows it to block Rapid Spin, check Mega Lucario and Mega Mewtwo X, and act as a soft check to Extreme Killer Arceus. Thanks to Ghostium Z, Arceus-Ghost has access to a 190-Base Power STAB Ghost-type move that can be boosted even further with Swords Dance. Arceus-Ghost finds a place in many offensive teams, as it can fulfill the role of an Extreme Killer Arceus check that also has higher damage output than most Swords Dance Arceus formes. However, the rise in the usage of Ghost- and Dark-types like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Choice Scarf Lunala has crippled the viability of Arceus-Ghost. Arceus-Ghost is hurt even further by its lack of strong coverage moves, forcing it to rely primarily on its STAB Ghost-type attacks to deal damage prior to boosting with Swords Dance.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Force
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Extreme Speed / Shadow Claw
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Multitype
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance increases Arceus-Ghost's Attack stat and secures OHKOs on Pokemon like Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre with +2 Never-Ending Nightmare, as well as on Z-Geomancy Xerneas and most support Arceus formes after Stealth Rock damage. Shadow Force is Arceus-Ghost's strongest Ghost-type STAB move and is able to 2HKO the majority of offensive threats unboosted. Brick Break is its best Fighting-type move and allows it to be a soft check to Extreme Killer Arceus that can also deal considerable damage to Dark-types like Tyranitar and Arceus-Dark after a Swords Dance boost. The combination of Ghost and Fighting has no resistances, which makes Arceus-Ghost a great wallbreaker. Brick Break also breaks Light Screen and Reflect, which are used sometimes in offensive teams. Extreme Speed lets Arceus-Ghost KO Deoxys-A and other frail threats that would normally outspeed it. It also allows Arceus-Ghost to outspeed weakened foes like Extreme Killer Arceus and Yveltal and KO them. Shadow Claw is an option to give Arceus-Ghost a secondary STAB option that makes it hard for Substitute users, Normal-type + Ghost-type cores like Mega Sableye + Chansey, and Toxic + Recover users like support Arceus formes to play around Shadow Force.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack allows Arceus-Ghost to hit as hard as possible with its STAB and coverage moves. A Jolly nature along with 252 EVs in Speed lets Arceus-Ghost outspeed everything significant up to Mega Lucario and Speed tie with other maximum Speed Arceus formes. Ghostium Z turns Shadow Force into a STAB 190-Base Power Ghost-type nuke for one turn that lets +1 Arceus-Ghost OHKO Mega Salamence, offensive Yveltal after Stealth Rock damage, support Primal Groudon, and Zygarde after one layer of Spikes. Arceus-Ghost can hold a Spooky Plate for consistent damage instead if that is ever preferred over a one-time nuke. Shadow Claw becomes more usable if Spooky Plate is used over Ghostium Z, since it increases in Base Power and lets Arceus-Ghost break through the Normal-type + Ghost-type combination that usually beats it due to Shadow Force being a two-turn move.
Usage Tips
========
Switch in Arceus-Ghost on Rapid Spin users like Cloyster and Excadrill to prevent the opponent from removing entry hazards. Thanks to Arceus-Ghost's typing, it can be used either as a wallbreaker or as a late-game cleaner, since it can exert offensive pressure immediately thanks to Never-Ending Nightmare, but it can also be reserved for sweeping late-game after its checks have been weakened enough. Arceus-Ghost should use its Z-Move cautiously, since it can have great importance to secure OHKOs on the likes of Primal Groudon, support Arceus formes, and Yveltal at +2 after Stealth Rock damage, as well as Mega Salamence at +1. Shadow Force has only 8 PP and one gets used up when Arceus-Ghost goes for its Z-Move, so be aware and spend them mindfully. It's best to keep Arceus-Ghost's health as high as possible, since it is required to be at full health to OHKO Mega Gengar and Choice item Lunala after taking a Shadow Ball or Moongeist Beam, respectively. Teams that use Arceus-Ghost as their Arceus forme usually struggle against Choice Scarf Lunala, which requires the team's Dark-types to be kept as healthy as possible through the means of predicted switches and appropriate sacrifices.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters like Excadrill, Cloyster, Dialga, Deoxys-S, and Primal Groudon make great teammates, as entry hazard damage puts Pokemon like Yveltal, Zygarde, Primal Groudon, and Lugia in range of being KOed by Arceus-Ghost's Z-Move. In exchange, Arceus-Ghost is able to block Rapid Spin, which is appreciated by Sticky Web setters like Smeargle and Shuckle. Sticky Web allows Arceus-Ghost to outspeed faster threats like Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Lunala. Xerneas pairs very well with Arceus-Ghost thanks to its ability to check Dark-types like Yveltal and Arceus-Dark, and it also has the option to carry Aromatherapy for curing status. In return, Arceus-Ghost is able to weaken checks to Xerneas like Ferrothorn and Magearna with Shadow Force, allowing Xerneas to sweep late-game. When forgoing Extreme Killer Arceus, most offensive teams usually end up being somewhat weak to Xerneas, as Extreme Speed from Arceus-Ghost is not as strong. This makes Double Dance Primal Groudon a great partner, as it appreciates a check to Lugia and Arceus-Ghost's ability to weaken common threats to it like Mega Salamence, Celesteela, and support Arceus formes. This Primal Groudon set can also beat offensive variants of Yveltal, while a specially offensive version of Primal Groudon can lure out and KO defensive variants of Yveltal and Mega Salamence. Mega Lucario can check Xerneas with STAB priority Bullet Punch, appreciates Arceus-Ghost's ability to check Lugia, and is also a Pokemon that wants the likes of Mega Salamence and Arceus-Ground to be weakened. On the other hand, Mega Lucario can check Dark-types like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Chople Berry Tyranitar. Deoxys-A can be paired with Arceus-Ghost, since the latter can remove its checks like Steel-types and absorb an incoming Extreme Speed from Extreme Killer Arceus or Rayquaza. In return, Deoxys-A is able to KO threats such as Mega Gengar, Mega Salamence, support Arceus formes, and Zygarde-C without the need of any boosting move. Rayquaza is also a great partner, as it is able to check Primal Groudon and appreciates hazard removers that Arceus-Ghost is often paired with. It can pressure support Arceus formes as well as provide priority in the form of Extreme Speed, which helps out with the Xerneas weakness of Arceus-Ghost teams. Yveltal and Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk can check Mega Gengar and Lunala, which can be a problem for Arceus-Ghost. Lunala is by far the best check to Arceus-Ghost, since Moongeist Beam OHKOes after Stealth Rock damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Calm Mind + Judgment set makes use of Arceus-Ghost's natural bulk and Special Defense. In the case of other Arceus formes, the Calm Mind set usually has the upper hand when facing Ditto, but that doesn't matter at all for Arceus-Ghost's case, since the faster Shadow Force loses the fight. Recover can be run over Extreme Speed to increase Arceus-Ghost's longevity if priority is not required as much for the team. However, Arceus-Ghost cannot afford to run a move that cannot pressure its checks. The other option of running Stone Edge over Brick Break lets Arceus-Ghost OHKO Yveltal at +2, but then Arceus-Ghost misses out on Fighting-type coverage, leaving it useless against other opposing Dark-types like Tyranitar and Arceus-Dark. The option of using a Z-Move also makes this move somewhat unnecessary. A support set with Defog / Toxic / Judgment / Recover with maximum HP and Speed can check Mega Lucario, Lugia, and Giratina-O. However, other Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Ground outclass Arceus-Ghost in that role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Lunala**: The Choice Scarf variant of Lunala is able to outspeed and OHKO Arceus-Ghost with Moongeist Beam after Stealth Rock. Teams that have Arceus-Ghost tend to struggle against it due to the lack of reliable Ghost switch-ins, since Dark-types like Yveltal can be weakened easily due to Stealth Rock, thus additionally requiring appropriate sacrifices and predicted switches to play around this Pokemon.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar is immune to Extreme Speed and can outspeed and deal heavy damage to Arceus-Ghost with Shadow Ball or, at the very least, trade with Destiny Bond.
**Arceus-Dark**: Arceus-Dark can switch into a predicted Shadow Force from Arceus-Ghost and proceed to 2HKO it with Judgment or attempt to set up with Calm Mind. Brick Break is the only coverage option Arceus-Ghost gets that can deal super effective damage to Arceus-Dark, and even that is a 3HKO.
**Yveltal**: While offensive variants of Yveltal may get OHKOed by +2 Never-Ending Nightmare, Life Orb + Sucker Punch variants only require a bit of chip damage to OHKO Arceus-Ghost, while Choice Scarf variants are able to outspeed or even take a +2 Extreme Speed after Stealth Rock damage and proceed to OHKO it with Foul Play. Though very rarely seen, defensive variants of Yveltal are able to take a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare after Stealth Rock damage and proceed to OHKO with Foul Play.
**Other Dark-types**: Chople Berry Tyranitar and Darkrai can check Arceus-Ghost as well. The former can take a +2 Brick Break thanks to its item and OHKO with Foul Play. Darkrai can survive a +2 Extreme Speed even after Stealth Rock damage and proceed to deal heavy damage with Dark Pulse or outright OHKO Arceus-Ghost with Black Hole Eclipse.
**Status Conditions**: Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy can cripple Arceus-Ghost with status-inflicting moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp. Mega Sableye can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp prior to Mega Evolving as well. Zygarde can paralyze it with Glare, making it susceptible to slower, hard-hitting threats like Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre. All of these options are able to hinder Arceus-Ghost's attempt to sweep and must be properly dealt with. Clefable is able to survive a Never-Ending Nightmare and proceed to use Toxic and stall out Arceus-Ghost with Wish.
**Normal- and Ghost-type Combination**: The method of repeated switching between Ghost- and Normal-types takes advantage of Shadow Force's low PP. However, this method of checking Arceus-Ghost becomes less effective with entry hazards, and a well-timed Never-Ending Nightmare or Shadow Claw can stop the attempt.
**Mega Salamence**: Thanks to its great natural bulk and Intimidate prior to Mega Evolving, Mega Salamence can easily take a Shadow Force and attempt to set up on Arceus-Ghost, since it has a good chance of OHKOing it with +1 Double-Edge. However, a +1 Never-Ending Nightmare is able to OHKO Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage.
Arceus-Ghost's great offensive typing and strong Ghost-type STAB move in Shadow Force allow it to deal massive neutral damage to the majority of the tier. Like any Arceus forme, Arceus-Ghost has excellent natural bulk, and it also has a decent defensive typing that allows it to block Rapid Spin, check Mega Lucario and Mega Mewtwo X, and act as a soft check to Extreme Killer Arceus. Thanks to Ghostium Z, Arceus-Ghost has access to a 190-Base Power STAB Ghost-type move that can be boosted even further with Swords Dance. Arceus-Ghost finds a place in many offensive teams, as it can fulfill the role of an Extreme Killer Arceus check that also has higher damage output than most Swords Dance Arceus formes. However, the rise in the usage of Ghost- and Dark-types like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Choice Scarf Lunala has crippled the viability of Arceus-Ghost. Arceus-Ghost is hurt even further by its lack of strong coverage moves, forcing it to rely primarily on its STAB Ghost-type attacks to deal damage prior to boosting with Swords Dance.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Shadow Force
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Extreme Speed / Shadow Claw
item: Ghostium Z
ability: Multitype
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance increases Arceus-Ghost's Attack stat and secures OHKOs on Pokemon like Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre with +2 Never-Ending Nightmare, as well as on Z-Geomancy Xerneas and most support Arceus formes after Stealth Rock damage. Shadow Force is Arceus-Ghost's strongest Ghost-type STAB move and is able to 2HKO the majority of offensive threats unboosted. Brick Break is its best Fighting-type move and allows it to be a soft check to Extreme Killer Arceus that can also deal considerable damage to Dark-types like Tyranitar and Arceus-Dark after a Swords Dance boost. The combination of Ghost and Fighting has no resistances, which makes Arceus-Ghost a great wallbreaker. Brick Break also breaks Light Screen and Reflect, which are used sometimes in offensive teams. Extreme Speed lets Arceus-Ghost KO Deoxys-A and other frail threats that would normally outspeed it. It also allows Arceus-Ghost to outspeed weakened foes like Extreme Killer Arceus and Yveltal and KO them. Shadow Claw is an option to give Arceus-Ghost a secondary STAB option that makes it hard for Substitute users, Normal-type + Ghost-type cores like Mega Sableye + Chansey, and Toxic + Recover users like support Arceus formes to play around Shadow Force.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack allows Arceus-Ghost to hit as hard as possible with its STAB and coverage moves. A Jolly nature along with 252 EVs in Speed lets Arceus-Ghost outspeed everything significant up to Mega Lucario and Speed tie with other maximum Speed Arceus formes. Ghostium Z turns Shadow Force into a STAB 190-Base Power Ghost-type nuke for one turn that lets +1 Arceus-Ghost OHKO Mega Salamence, offensive Yveltal after Stealth Rock damage, support Primal Groudon, and Zygarde after one layer of Spikes. Arceus-Ghost can hold a Spooky Plate for consistent damage instead if that is ever preferred over a one-time nuke. Shadow Claw becomes more usable if Spooky Plate is used over Ghostium Z, since it increases in Base Power and lets Arceus-Ghost break through the Normal-type + Ghost-type combination that usually beats it due to Shadow Force being a two-turn move.
Usage Tips
========
Switch in Arceus-Ghost on Rapid Spin users like Cloyster and Excadrill to prevent the opponent from removing entry hazards. Thanks to Arceus-Ghost's typing, it can be used either as a wallbreaker or as a late-game cleaner, since it can exert offensive pressure immediately thanks to Never-Ending Nightmare, but it can also be reserved for sweeping late-game after its checks have been weakened enough. Arceus-Ghost should use its Z-Move cautiously, since it can have great importance to secure OHKOs on the likes of Primal Groudon, support Arceus formes, and Yveltal at +2 after Stealth Rock damage, as well as Mega Salamence at +1. Shadow Force has only 8 PP and one gets used up when Arceus-Ghost goes for its Z-Move, so be aware and spend them mindfully. It's best to keep Arceus-Ghost's health as high as possible, since it is required to be at full health to OHKO Mega Gengar and Choice item Lunala after taking a Shadow Ball or Moongeist Beam, respectively. Teams that use Arceus-Ghost as their Arceus forme usually struggle against Choice Scarf Lunala, which requires the team's Dark-types to be kept as healthy as possible through the means of predicted switches and appropriate sacrifices.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard setters like Excadrill, Cloyster, Dialga, Deoxys-S, and Primal Groudon make great teammates, as entry hazard damage puts Pokemon like Yveltal, Zygarde, Primal Groudon, and Lugia in range of being KOed by Arceus-Ghost's Z-Move. In exchange, Arceus-Ghost is able to block Rapid Spin, which is appreciated by Sticky Web setters like Smeargle and Shuckle. Sticky Web allows Arceus-Ghost to outspeed faster threats like Mega Gengar, Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Lunala. Xerneas pairs very well with Arceus-Ghost thanks to its ability to check Dark-types like Yveltal and Arceus-Dark, and it also has the option to carry Aromatherapy for curing status. In return, Arceus-Ghost is able to weaken checks to Xerneas like Ferrothorn and Magearna with Shadow Force, allowing Xerneas to sweep late-game. When forgoing Extreme Killer Arceus, most offensive teams usually end up being somewhat weak to Xerneas, as Extreme Speed from Arceus-Ghost is not as strong. This makes Double Dance Primal Groudon a great partner, as it appreciates a check to Lugia and Arceus-Ghost's ability to weaken common threats to it like Mega Salamence, Celesteela, and support Arceus formes. This Primal Groudon set can also beat offensive variants of Yveltal, while a specially offensive version of Primal Groudon can lure out and KO defensive variants of Yveltal and Mega Salamence. Mega Lucario can check Xerneas with STAB priority Bullet Punch, appreciates Arceus-Ghost's ability to check Lugia, and is also a Pokemon that wants the likes of Mega Salamence and Arceus-Ground to be weakened. On the other hand, Mega Lucario can check Dark-types like Yveltal, Arceus-Dark, and Chople Berry Tyranitar. Deoxys-A can be paired with Arceus-Ghost, since the latter can remove its checks like Steel-types and absorb an incoming Extreme Speed from Extreme Killer Arceus or Rayquaza. In return, Deoxys-A is able to KO threats such as Mega Gengar, Mega Salamence, support Arceus formes, and Zygarde-C without the need of any boosting move. Rayquaza is also a great partner, as it is able to check Primal Groudon and appreciates hazard removers that Arceus-Ghost is often paired with. It can pressure support Arceus formes as well as provide priority in the form of Extreme Speed, which helps out with the Xerneas weakness of Arceus-Ghost teams. Yveltal and Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk can check Mega Gengar and Lunala, which can be a problem for Arceus-Ghost. Lunala is by far the best check to Arceus-Ghost, since Moongeist Beam OHKOes after Stealth Rock damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Calm Mind + Judgment set makes use of Arceus-Ghost's natural bulk and Special Defense. In the case of other Arceus formes, the Calm Mind set usually has the upper hand when facing Ditto, but that doesn't matter at all for Arceus-Ghost's case, since the faster Shadow Force loses the fight. Recover can be run over Extreme Speed to increase Arceus-Ghost's longevity if priority is not required as much for the team. However, Arceus-Ghost cannot afford to run a move that cannot pressure its checks. The other option of running Stone Edge over Brick Break lets Arceus-Ghost OHKO Yveltal at +2, but then Arceus-Ghost misses out on Fighting-type coverage, leaving it useless against other opposing Dark-types like Tyranitar and Arceus-Dark. The option of using a Z-Move also makes this move somewhat unnecessary. A support set with Defog / Toxic / Judgment / Recover with maximum HP and Speed can check Mega Lucario, Lugia, and Giratina-O. However, other Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Ground outclass Arceus-Ghost in that role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Lunala**: The Choice Scarf variant of Lunala is able to outspeed and OHKO Arceus-Ghost with Moongeist Beam after Stealth Rock. Teams that have Arceus-Ghost tend to struggle against it due to the lack of reliable Ghost switch-ins, since Dark-types like Yveltal can be weakened easily due to Stealth Rock, thus additionally requiring appropriate sacrifices and predicted switches to play around this Pokemon.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar is immune to Extreme Speed and can outspeed and deal heavy damage to Arceus-Ghost with Shadow Ball or, at the very least, trade with Destiny Bond.
**Arceus-Dark**: Arceus-Dark can switch into a predicted Shadow Force from Arceus-Ghost and proceed to 2HKO it with Judgment or attempt to set up with Calm Mind. Brick Break is the only coverage option Arceus-Ghost gets that can deal super effective damage to Arceus-Dark, and even that is a 3HKO.
**Yveltal**: While offensive variants of Yveltal may get OHKOed by +2 Never-Ending Nightmare, Life Orb + Sucker Punch variants only require a bit of chip damage to OHKO Arceus-Ghost, while Choice Scarf variants are able to outspeed or even take a +2 Extreme Speed after Stealth Rock damage and proceed to OHKO it with Foul Play. Though very rarely seen, defensive variants of Yveltal are able to take a +2 Never-Ending Nightmare after Stealth Rock damage and proceed to OHKO with Foul Play.
**Other Dark-types**: Chople Berry Tyranitar and Darkrai can check Arceus-Ghost as well. The former can take a +2 Brick Break thanks to its item and OHKO with Foul Play. Darkrai can survive a +2 Extreme Speed even after Stealth Rock damage and proceed to deal heavy damage with Dark Pulse or outright OHKO Arceus-Ghost with Black Hole Eclipse.
**Status Conditions**: Support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground, and Arceus-Fairy can cripple Arceus-Ghost with status-inflicting moves such as Toxic and Will-O-Wisp. Mega Sableye can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp prior to Mega Evolving as well. Zygarde can paralyze it with Glare, making it susceptible to slower, hard-hitting threats like Ho-Oh and Primal Kyogre. All of these options are able to hinder Arceus-Ghost's attempt to sweep and must be properly dealt with. Clefable is able to survive a Never-Ending Nightmare and proceed to use Toxic and stall out Arceus-Ghost with Wish.
**Normal- and Ghost-type Combination**: The method of repeated switching between Ghost- and Normal-types takes advantage of Shadow Force's low PP. However, this method of checking Arceus-Ghost becomes less effective with entry hazards, and a well-timed Never-Ending Nightmare or Shadow Claw can stop the attempt.
**Mega Salamence**: Thanks to its great natural bulk and Intimidate prior to Mega Evolving, Mega Salamence can easily take a Shadow Force and attempt to set up on Arceus-Ghost, since it has a good chance of OHKOing it with +1 Double-Edge. However, a +1 Never-Ending Nightmare is able to OHKO Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage.
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